Giving up in North Central Arkansas

[Ruby1417]

Hello. We have lived in Arkansas for about four years now and I’m giving up! I am an avid gardener from living and gardening all up the East Coast and the Chicago area, but This by far is the hardest region to garden in. I have encountered pests and weeds (see nutsedge pic) like no other place before. I’ve tried everything organic it does not work here!! We spent thousands of dollars on our landscape and we are loosing plants trees and bushes left and right. We have tons of fungus here due to wet springs and cedars... and last year we had an infestation of little webbing all over with white flies which the extension office told me wouldn’t kill my plants. I beg to differ. I tried to get some pictures , I hope someone can help. I am trying pure neem oil spraying regularly before anything else but I don’t think it’s going to work on this infestation. Please help! I am NOT opposed to chemical warfare at all here!!!!

 

[marlingardener]

Ruby, we encountered about the same problems when we moved to Texas from upstate NY. We found that planting natives--trees, bushes, perennials--were plants that could fight off pests and fungi and survive and give color and pleasure to our gardens.
Weeds? Gosh almighty, the only cure is Spectracide, as far as we have discovered. It is a mild chemical grass/weed killer that applied at the recommended rate really does kill weeds and grass, and the good part is that you can plant the day after application.
Don't give up! You can have a lovely garden.

 

[Ruby1417]

Ruby, we encountered about the same problems when we moved to Texas from upstate NY. We found that planting natives--trees, bushes, perennials--were plants that could fight off pests and fungi and survive and give color and pleasure to our gardens.
Weeds? Gosh almighty, the only cure is Spectracide, as far as we have discovered. It is a mild chemical grass/weed killer that applied at the recommended rate really does kill weeds and grass, and the good part is that you can plant the day after application.
Don't give up! You can have a lovely garden.

Thank you! Yup I use round up here but the nutsedge is persistent!!! I know lots of people don’t like it, but it’s necessary here! I’ll look for the spectra code also. My hubby said the same thing the other day... native plants.... either that or my whole yard will be nothing but barberries! Bout the only thing thats thriving lol

 

[Ruby1417]

Thank you! Yup I use round up here but the nutsedge is persistent!!! I know lots of people don’t like it, but it’s necessary here! I’ll look for the spectra code also. My hubby said the same thing the other day... native plants.... either that or my whole yard will be nothing but barberries! Bout the only thing thats thriving lol

Spectracide...... stupid auto correct lol

 

[roadrunner]

 

[Ruby1417]

Thanks RoadRunner for the idea, but those are more like what we call WebWorms (which we have also) but those are more easily identified. The little webbings I have are smaller like and I actually see white flies flying all over when I hit the plant. The webbing is more.....Whispy than that of a webworm if that makes sense????

 

[Tetters]

Welcome to the forums @Ruby1417. It is so good to see you are getting some encouragement with your growing problems.
I think we all get disillusioned sometimes and it`s good to know you aren`t on your own. When I have been tempted to say I can`t DO this anymore, I try to remember what granny used to tell me '' Put can`t in your pocket and pull try out''
Let us know when you feel better - with your native plants

 

[Ruby1417]

LOL thanks! I will

 

[jobbezz]

Hi, is it common to use bark on the ground in your gardens? I've heard that it can give soil and fungi problems.